Proud Nenagh aunt lauds winning Rose
The people of Laois may have gone wild with excitement when the county’s Rose of Tralee won the international contest outright last week - but there were lots of celebrations in Nenagh too.
The winner Katelyn Cummins (20) happens to have an aunt living in Nenagh, and she was in Tralee on Tuesday night week last to witness the momentous event.
Eilish Carter and her Nenagh husband, Neddy, were among 30 family and friends of the Laois Rose who were present in The Dome when the result was announced, sparking days of celebrations for them all.
Asked how she reacted when the announcement was made, a delighted Eilish, and proud aunt, told The Guardian: “It was just a whirlwind of elation and shock, just like Katelyn felt! I kept repeating ‘Oh My God’ over and over…I couldn’t put a sentence together!
“We always knew Katelyn was very capable of winning it, but you don’t always know what the judges are looking for.”
After the win was announced, the Cummins family made their way to Denny Street in Tralee to witness thousands of people celebrating the feat of the newly crowned Rose.
Katelyn’s father, Noel Cummins, spoke about how proud he was of his daughter. “That was very emotional for me as Noel is my sibling,” Eilish revealed.
The streets of the town lit up with fireworks and festivity and the Nenagh aunt and her husband later attended the party to celebrate Katelyn’s win as the festivities continued into the early hours of the morning.
But there was not much rest overnight for the newly crowned Rose as she had to be up early to face the media the following day. “After only 40 minutes sleep, Katelyn was already up at 7pm to launch into 14 interviews,” Eilsh revealed.
“The response to her win has been overwhelming. We have received so many phone calls, messages wishing her well, cards and letters from strangers who have been so inspired by her outlook on life.”
The winning Rose is no stranger to Nenagh, saidEilish. “Myself and Neddy have very fond memories of Katelyn growing up, especially when she would come to Nenagh for a few days visit every summer.”
Eilish said that from the time her niece was very young, she faced the challenge of hearing loss. “But she always embraced each chapter of her life head on…her challenges have shaped her into the wonderful young woman that we are so proud of today.”
Eilish said Katelyn was “very down to earth” and would take her 12-month reign as the Rose of Tralee “in her stride”.
Her employers are the Portlaoise based automation company Alpha Drives, owned by the Dwan Family from Tipperary, the firm that sponsors the Tipperary Camogie team. “Katelyn’s employers have been very flexible, so she’s very fortunate to have a lot of people who will help her have a great year ahead,” said Eilish.
Eilish, who works as a Client Account and Business Development Manager for a Limerick based company, is well known to many people in Nenagh. She has performed with Nenagh Choral Society and the Ormond Octaves choir.
It was no surprise to Eilish that Katelyn performed a jive on stage with her escort Tommy Meade on the night of her televised big win. “Dancing and singing are what our family enjoys,” said Eilish.